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Atthewall
Bluegill
Username: Atthewall
Post Number: 300
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 1:04 am: | 
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My son Austin and I have yet had an opportunity to hit the coast during 2005. Our last trip was December 28th 2004, 3 days after a beach front snowfall. This is way too long between coastal fishing events for an ex-Coastie and his son.
Friday, April 15th we decide to take charge of our situation and kick-off the 2005 fishing season along the Texas Gulf Coast at Padre Island National Seashore (PINS). This region is one of my top picks for fishing, camping and the overall beach front experience with a guarantee of having fun and hooking that big fish of a lifetime.
Conditions at PINS during this past weekend were less than desirable. Seas 2 – 3ft with an occasional 4 footer tossed in to make things interesting. I managed to paddle my newly Christened kayak offshore 250 yards without issue but managed to get dumped 4 times on the surf ride back in. I can’t wait till I go back down there again.
We pitch Camp Number 1 Friday night around midnight at the 34.6 miles mark. I hate setting up in the dark since reading the surf is impossible as you roll the beach at night. The early morning fish is a crap shoot and hoping to have a cut in the surf line, a hole or contour change impossible to read at night. Oh well, we have all day Saturday to find that spot.
The sea conditions are sandy and rough. We roll down to 38.4 miles Saturday morning, find a cut in the surf line and I paddle the baits offshore. We soak for 4 hours with a few bait changes without any activity. The surf conditions are too rough to wade with light tackle. The large rod bait situation is frozen, old who knows how old stuff purchased along the JFK causeway at a local fishing pier/baitshop. Freshly caught baitfish from the surf is a must and we aren't getting that done so Austin and I both decide a trip to the Port Mansfield jetties, a full 60 miles below the PINS beach shoreline entrance (where the asphalt meets the sand) is a must.
The surf conditions at high tide go green at the 45 mile mark. We roll into the Port Mansfield jetty area, find one other truck camping on the channel side…outstanding, the place is ours for an entire Saturday night! We setup campsite number 2, spend the evening catching flounder, whiting and the occasional hardhead catfish before calling it an evening.
Sunday morning, the surf is sandy brown, the winds are blowing and the tide is low. I toss a big rod off the jetties and walk the rod back down to our campsite and setup out front. Fishing is slow, surfers are showing and my opportunity to hook up that monster on the beach front fade. But I do note the blue water is now moving into the outer jetty area as the tide continues to roll in. Austin and I decide to hop the rocks and fish several hundred yards off the beach in the better water conditions.
Austin hooks into the first oversized redfish on light tackle. After a 10 – 15 minute fight before his the line breaks. We are grinning ear to ear and this scene continues over and over and over. We manage to string 3 slot sized keepers and release a bunch of oversized redfish. I have 4 bumps on the big rod but never made a hook up there….too busy with light tackle and redfish to get engaged in time. Oh well, there’s always another PINS run right around the corner.
Till then, tight lines and happy fishing!
Rob
Saturday morning Camp Number One at the 34.6 mile mark
Sunday morning Camp Number Two at the Port Mansfield Jetties or the 60 mile mark
Sunday morning at the Port Mansfield jetties. I'm fishing the Newell 338 J and cast from the rocks and walk the rod down to the sand in front of camp. One bait is mauled and we missed the hit....but man the grilled fajitas certainly hit the spot  In the far right corner of this pic where the water and jetty meet the sand.....flounder city along with a nice supply of pan fish suitable for keeping the big rod fresh bait supply well oiled.
Sunday afternoon, Austin hooks the first redfish of the day....oversized and full of spunk. The line broke on this one. Spinning rod/reel setup was set aside and a baitcast backup was pressed into service.
My 11 ft Fenwick and the Newell 338 J. 450 yards of 30lb test is a lightweight big setup but it's perfect for casting off the rocks. I missed a few Sunday but I had my hands full with redfish.
When will they stop?
Some of the pics we managed to take time to snap
(Message edited by atthewall on April 19, 2005) |
Bigun
Crappie
Username: Bigun
Post Number: 307
Registered: 8-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 5:37 am: |
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Very cool story and pictures ATW! Looks like you guys had a really good time. Cajun congrats to you and your son.
I've been known to pinch a tail or two in my life!
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Simek
Minnow
Username: Simek
Post Number: 25
Registered: 1-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 7:20 am: |
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Way to go Rob. Good times spent with good family is the way to go! Looking forward to the weekend!! |
Audra
Moderator
Username: Audra
Post Number: 238
Registered: 8-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 8:14 am: |
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That looks like one fantastic trip! Maybe one of these days, I'll get to do something like that!
Glad you boys had a great time!
"Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths." - Jimmy D Moore
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Will
Minnow
Username: Will
Post Number: 78
Registered: 2-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 1:47 pm: |
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Congrats on the catch Rob. From the smile on Austin's face, looks like he had a blast. Glad you guys caught some fish.
Vegatarian: Indian Word for Bad Fisherman
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Redneck88
Minnow
Username: Redneck88
Post Number: 90
Registered: 2-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 5:11 pm: |
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Aint nothing better than catching fish with the family.
Get em #8!
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Picou
Lunker
Username: Picou
Post Number: 1048
Registered: 8-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 - 7:17 pm: |
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PINS fishing hot, PINS fishing cold, PINS Redfish in the cooler WAY TO GO!!!
Way to go Rob, great read and excellent pics. Those are some great looking redfish and it makes me long for the salt air & sandy beaches. CONGRATS!!!
 Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish
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Drifter
Minnow
Username: Drifter
Post Number: 24
Registered: 8-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 12:32 am: |
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YEAH YEAH! waytogo boyz
Standards I have its morals I lack
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Hawlin_bass
Minnow
Username: Hawlin_bass
Post Number: 88
Registered: 1-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 3:29 am: |
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Good job fellas! Looks like you boys had a great time relaxing at the beach and catching reds. |
Atthewall
Crappie
Username: Atthewall
Post Number: 304
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 9:59 am: |
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Austin and I want to say Thanks!
If any of ya'll are interested in hitting the sand this summer, let me know. 4x4 are necessary to go the full haul and it's primitive camping. Block ice or frozen water jugs are a must to last a couple of days down there.
By the time June rolls around, the surf will be full of it's usual fish species that make every cast a "what's going to hit now" situation.
(Message edited by atthewall on April 21, 2005) |
Wes
Moderator
Username: Wes
Post Number: 103
Registered: 8-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 10:56 am: |
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Congrats, on the trip. Let me know next time ya'll are heading down. |
Atthewall
Crappie
Username: Atthewall
Post Number: 305
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 1:46 pm: |
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You bet I will Wes. |
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